“You’re like a Physiotherapist, right?”
One of the most common questions I get from family, friends, and prospective patients. My answer: Well, no, not really…but kind of.
While the Athletic Therapist (AT) (or commonly referred to as the “trainer”) may be a familiar face to athletes, the general public often overlooks our role in addressing common everyday injuries and rehabilitation needs. Despite the popular belief that Athletic Therapy is a “new” profession, our role with sports teams was actually established in 1965 and has since grown to over 3000 therapists.
So how is AT different from Physio?
The answer to this question is not always black and white since there are a lot similarities between the two professions. Both Athletic Therapists and Physiotherapists assess and rehabilitate musculoskeletal injuries, prescribe exercise, use modalities, and provide hands-on treatment like massage and joint mobilizations. But the differences come down to scope, specialization, and setting.
I like to think of ATs as “muscle, joint and exercise specialists”. We are specifically trained in musculoskeletal conditions, therefore that is primarily what we treat (with some exceptions/specialties). Physiotherapists have a broader scope, covering more conditions and populations, from neurological and cardiovascular rehab to pediatrics and beyond. While ATs are taught to recognize and treat these same conditions/populations (and can often play a crucial part in treatment), we strongly emphasize the importance of a multifaceted treatment team and plan.
Education Breakdown
While I can’t speak directly to the Physiotherapy path, here are some key differences in education (Canadian focus):
Physiotherapy:
- 5 schools in Ontario offer Physiotherapy programs, all Master’s streamed (2 years)
- 10 other schools outside of Ontario offer Physiotherapy programs, all Master’s streamed
- Experiential learning requirements in a variety of settings
- Written and clinical exams
Athletic Therapy:
- Offered at both the Bachelor’s and Master’s level (9 programs total, 2 in Ontario)
- Extensive hands-on learning in clinical and on-field emergency care
- Practical exams in every semester of education
- National certification exam to become a Certified Athletic Therapist
At the end of the day, both Athletic Therapy and Physiotherapy play vital roles in injury management and rehabilitation. Their roles ultimately depend on the setting they are working in.
While there are differences in scope, specialization and education, we both share the common goal of helping individuals recover, move better, and perform at their best–whether that is on the field, in the gym, or in everyday life.
Who Can Benefit from Athletic Therapy?
Athletic Therapy isn’t just for athletes—we work with anyone dealing with a musculoskeletal injury or looking to move better in daily life. Whether you’re recovering from a gym-related injury, dealing with pain from sitting at a desk all day, or tweaking your back while doing household chores, AT can help.
Working in a high performance setting, I often help active individuals recover and get back to training. But even if you don’t consider yourself an “athlete,” Athletic Therapy is a great option if you want an active approach to rehab and long-term injury prevention.
If you’re dealing with pain, stiffness, or an injury that’s limiting your daily activities—whether that’s lifting weights, playing sports, or just keeping up with life—Athletic Therapy might be the right fit for you. Come chat with me at Iron Performance Center or book a free phone call or assessment to get started!
For more information:
Instagram: @jordanrogers.athletictherapy
Email: jrogersathletictherapy@gmail.com
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/jordanrogersathletictherapy/home
